GORDIAN KNOT and RAISE CAIN

 From Sampath’s Desk:

 GORDIAN KNOT and RAISE CAIN:

 

GORDIAN KNOT:

 

Pronunciation:

 

(gh)கோர்டியன் நாட்

 

 

Meaning:

 

If you describe a situation or problem as a Gordian knot, you mean that it is very complicated and difficult to resolve. If someone succeeds in resolving it, you can say that they cut the Gordian knot – an intricate problem especially one insoluable in its own terms This is a literary expression.

 

தமிழில் – பிரம்ம முடிச்சு (எளிதில் அவிழ்க்க முடியாத முடிச்சு)

 

Tracing the origin and history of the term GORDIAN KNOT

 

This was a knot tied by Gordius, the king of Phrygia, held to be capable of being untied only by the future ruler of Asia, and cut by Alexander the Great with his sword.

 

The term “Gordian knot,” commonly used to describe a complex or unsolvable problem, can be traced back to a legendary chapter in the life of Alexander the Great.

 

As the story goes, in 333 B.C., the Macedonian conqueror marched his army into the Phrygian capital of Gordium in modern day Turkey. Upon arriving in the city, he encountered an ancient wagon, its yoke tied with what one Roman historian later described as “several knots all so tightly entangled that it was impossible to see how they were fastened.”

 

Phrygian tradition held that the wagon had once belonged to Gordius, the father of the celebrated King Midas. An oracle had declared that any man who could unravel its elaborate knots was destined to become ruler of all of Asia.

 

According to the ancient chronicler Arrian, the impetuous Alexander was instantly “seized with an ardent desire” to untie the Gordian knot. After wrestling with it for a time and finding no success, he stepped back from the mass of gnarled ropes and proclaimed, “It makes no difference how they are loosed.” He then drew his sword and sliced the knot in half with a single stroke.

(This term is used as an idiom in English)

Example sentences:

 

That court case has a GORDIAN KNOT of legal problems. Only an expert lawyer can solve it.

 

If Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks he can solve that problem, we can only say that he has either overestimated his powers or has thoroughly failed to take stock of the complexities and intricacies involved. It is not that easy to cut the GORDIAN KNOT.

 

That difficult problem is now solved. It was the intelligence of that expert that cut the GORDIAN KNOT at last, which we couldn’t untie earlier.

 

The planners bypassed and circumvented the GORDIAN KNOT instead of cutting it.

 

It is a set of difficult multi-problem, my dear; you will have to sweat it out for solving it by cutting the GORDIAN KNOT.

 

The government must try to solve the complex problem even if it meant cutting the GORDIAN KNOT.

 

 

RAISE CAIN:

 

Meaning:

 

To cause a commotion or trouble – to react or protest heatedly – if someone raises Cain, they get very angry about something – to behave in any ngry way and create a big disturbance – to protest about something in a loud and angry way

 

 

Example sentences:

 

The roguish area teens were caught RAISING CAIN in the park after dark.

 

The opposition parties intended to use the monsoon session of Parliament to simply RAISE CAIN over the farm bills without allowing any other business to be transacted.

 

They are sure to RAISE CAIN if the White House appears to be going soft on the Kremlin or casts doubt on America’s commitment to NATO, the transatlantic military alliance.

 

He would surely RAISE CAIN if the company doesn't comply with his justified, reasonable, and legitimate demand for a refund claimed by him.

 

I am not sure she should come, but I figure she would RAISE CAIN if we tried to say no.

 

New boys started RAISING CAIN as soon as they were in college and did whatever they wanted, but, they, in course of time, mellowed out once they were nearing graduation.

 

The customer has been RAISING CAIN about the service charges included in his bill.

 

The Manager will RAISE CAIN if we don’t finish the work on time.

 

 

Proverb:

 

மொட்டைத் தலைக்கும் முழங்காலுக்கும் முடி இட்டதுபோல.

Like joining a bald head and the knee, by tying a knot of hair. An impossibility.

 

 

(R.SAMPATH)

21/10/2021